occupied Palestinian territory: Area C of The West Bank: Key Humanitarian Concerns, January 2013

Over 60 percent of the West Bank is considered Area C, where Israel retains near exclusive control, including over law enforcement, planning and construction.

150,000 (approx.) Palestinians live in Area C in 542 communities, 281 of which are located entirely or mostly (50% or more of their built up area) in Area C.

Some 325,000 Israeli settlers live in some 135 settlements and about 100 outposts in Area C, in contravention of international law; the settlements’ municipal area (the area available for their expansion) is nine times larger than their current built-up area (B’Tselem).

70% of Area C is included within the boundaries of the regional councils of Israeli settlements (as distinct from the municipal boundaries) and therefore off-limits for Palestinian use and development.

Palestinian construction in 29% of Area C is heavily restricted; less than 1% of Area C has been planned for Palestinian development.

5,000 Palestinians reside in 38 communities located in parts of Area C that have been designated as “firing zones” for military training, increasing their vulnerabilities and risk of displacement.

In 2012, 540 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C, including 165 residential structures, were demolished due to lack of Israeli-issued permits, displacing 815 people, over half of them children.

Over 70% of communities located entirely or mostly in Area C are not connected to the water network and rely on tankered water at vastly increased cost; water consumption in some of these communities is as low as 20 litres per capita per day, one-fifth of the WHO’s recommendation.

24% of the Palestinian population in Area C are food insecure compared to 17% in the remainder of the West Bank.